Parlays, teasers, puck lines, run lines and props round out the betting menu

You can always bet more than the score in sports betting. They are usually bets with longer odds but much better payouts. Learn about parlay betting (always check out the trusty parlay calculator, future betting, betting teasers and more.

Parlays (aka multiples or combos)

This is a bet of 2 or more teams, but all teams wagered on in a parlay must win. Canadian sports lotteries such as Sport Select's Pro-Line is an example of a parlay. If there is a tie or push among the selections, the parlay bet reverts down to the next lowest number for payoff.

In the case of a 2-team parlay, if one game is a push, the bet becomes a straight one-team wager. You may not play a parlay where games are connected. You would not be permitted, for example to play a first-half score OVER with the full-score OVER because one id connected to the other.

Teasers

A Teaser is a bet of two or more teams in one wager where the point spread is adjusted in your favor. The number of teams selected and the number of points selected dictates your payout odds.

Futures

Wagering in mid-season on who will win the league championship is a futures bet. There are typically preseason odds for individual teams and the likelihood they will win their division or conference.

Props (aka Exotics)

Propositions or exotic bets typically involve specific events within a game. For example, betting on the number of points a basketball player will score in a game or picking the scorer of the first goal or touchdown are props.

RunLines

In baseball, most wagering is done on the moneyline (-150) and total (9.5). But there is also runline betting where you are betting a team to win by more than one run. So in a moneyline bet of Boston against New York where Boston wins 3-2, you would win your bet.

Boston             -125

New York        +115

You risked $125 and won $100 (for a total of $125 + $100 = $225)

In runline betting, the risks and rewards vary depending on which team is favored. In the example below:

New York        -1.5/+140

Boston             +1.5/-160

If you wager on New York, they must win by two runs (since they are -1.5). However, you get a better payout of +140 for taking that extra risk.

You would wager $100 to win $140 (if the Yanks win 4-2). If they win 3-2 or lose, you lose your runline bet.

On the flip side, Boston is +1.5 runs. This means they can win or lose by one run and still win the runline bet. However, you must risk a bit more money in exchange for being in that advantageous position (where even a 3-2 loss means you win your runline bet).

You would wager $160 to win $100 (if the Yanks win 4-2, you lose because Boston’s score (2) + 1.5 = 3.5 (which is still less than 4.

If the Yankees win 3-2, Boston would win the runline bet (3.5 to 3).

PuckLines

Everything you just learned about runlines in baseball is mirrored with puck lines in hockey. In hockey, most wagering is done on the moneyline (-150) and total (5.5). But there is also puck line betting where you are betting a team to win by more than one goal. So in a moneyline bet of Pittsburgh against New York where Pittsburgh wins 3-2, you would win your bet.

Pittsburgh         -125

New York        +115

You risked $125 and won $100 (for a total of $125 + $100 = $225)

In puckline betting, the risks and rewards vary depending on which team is favored. In the example below:

New York        -1.5/+140

Pittsburgh         +1.5/-160

If you wager on New York, they must win by two goals (since they are -1.5). However, you get a better payout of +140 for taking that extra risk.

You would wager $100 to win $140 (if the Rangers win 4-2). If they win 3-2 or lose, you lose your puckline bet.

On the flip side, Pittsburgh is +1.5 runs. This means they can win or lose by one goal and still win the puckline bet. However, you must risk a bit more money in exchange for being in that advantageous position (where even a 3-2 loss means you win your puck line bet).

You would wager $160 to win $100 (if the Rangers win 4-2, you lose because Pittbsurgh’s score (2) + 1.5 = 3.5 (which is still less than 4.)

If the Rangers win 3-2, Pittsburgh would win the puckline bet (3.5 to 3).